Agenda item

1.

Title of Item/Report

Scrutiny Review of Children Not in School

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that outlined the findings and recommendations of the Children and Young People Select Committee’s scrutiny review of Children Not in School (CNIS).

Children not in school covered a range of scenarios where a child was not accessing a full-time education.  The range of reasons a child may not be accessing a full-time education at a school was vast and covered:

•         All reasons for absence from school including authorised absence, unauthorised absence

•         Pupils on reduced/part-time timetables

•         Pupils who are accessing Alternative Provision (AP) not in a registered school (whether arranged by the school or the local authority)

•         Pupils receiving Home and Hospital Provision (H&H)

•         Pupils who are CME (Children Missing Education)

•         Children who are EHE (Electively Home Educated)

•         Children who have no school base and are EOTAS (Educated Other Than at School)

•         Children who move into the borough and are waiting for a school place

RESOLVED:-

Home and Hospital (H&H)

1.       That staffing capacity is reviewed to ensure provision remains, safe, responsive and broad enough in curriculum and that the staffing model adopted provides flexible and responsive provision in the most cost-effective way.

2.       That opportunities are explored and expanded for peer social interaction.

3.       That opportunities for partnership working to enhance both curriculum and enrichment are explored.

4.       The re-integration pathways are explored.

Electively Home Educated (EHE)

5.       That a more relational approach be strengthened with EHE families with identification of dedicated staffing resource to promote this.

6.       That clearer information is provided to parents about:

•         Examination entry processes

•         Associated costs

•         Available support services

7.       That work continues to prepare for legislative changes on compulsory registers and strengthened Local Authority powers.

8.       That the range of support shared via EHE networks is broadened.

9.       That opportunities for partnership working to strengthen intervention and support are explored.

10.      That the capacity for schools to provide early intervention and support in response to emotional and mental health needs is reviewed.

11.      That best practice identified at the Attendance Networks on re-integrating vulnerable learners into school is widely and regularly shared.

12.      That the support available to children and their families experiencing Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is widely and regularly shared.

13.      That the Team Around the School be fully appraised of the needs of previously Electively Home Educated pupils who are returning to mainstream education to support and nurture them back into school.

Children Missing from Education (CME)

14.      That off roll audits are maintained and expanded to prevent inappropriate removal from school rolls.

15.      That opportunities to work in partnership with the Voluntary and Community Sector are fully utilised to gather intelligence.

16.      That consideration is given to how the social care reforms can be used to reduce the number of children missing from education.

Educated Other than at School (EOTAS)

17.      That multi-agency working arrangements for children receiving EOTAS be strengthened, to ensure earlier, coordinated planning for children with complex needs, with education, health and social care partners jointly developing, owning and reviewing EOTAS packages to improve timeliness, quality and outcomes.

Alternative Provision (AP)

18.      That the new QA framework is implemented fully with follow up action plans for providers needing improvement.

19.      That AP networks continue to be expanded to promote consistent practice.

20.      That action is taken to ensure that all AP placements have a clear education plan, regularly reviewed, with reintegration as a priority where appropriate.

Admissions

21.      That processes and capacity for pupils with EHCPs who move into the Borough are reviewed to minimise time out of education.

Safeguarding

22.      That caseworker training in professional curiosity is enhanced to seek to ensure that risks are spotted during educational monitoring visits.

23.      That multi-agency information sharing for EHE and CME cohorts is strengthened, to compensate for restrictions on direct safeguarding checks.

24.      That CME processes continue to involve agencies such as Border Force, Police, Health and Housing to track and protect high risk pupils.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The topic was included on the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2025-2026. The review is now complete, and the recommendations have been endorsed by the Children and Young People Select Committee for submission to Cabinet.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, 26 June 2026